47 Years of the Indian Child Welfare Act

Forty-seven years since the enactment of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) in 1978 the law has stood the test of time. Following the forced removal Native children from their families and communities at rates as high as 35% the goal of the law is to create standards for child custody cases involving Native children that prioritizes their best interest of strengthening family and tribal stability. The podcast features a conversation with Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC) Councilmember Mikah Carlos. She has been active in child welfare issues, has testified before Congress, and is a board member of the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA). The discussion features: • The history of ICWA. • The experience and implementation in the SRPMIC. • Legal challenges to the law that culminated in a case that was decided by the United States Supreme Court. • Recent Congressional action. • The future of ICWA.